Teal Blazer VII - Finishing of knitted pieces
By now, we have all the knitted pieces. They are all curled up and have raw edges.
The first step is blocking. The simplest technique is to simply steam iron. Watch the heat. You need enough to undo at least most of the curling, but if you go too hot, you can alter the look and feel of the knitted fabric, and possibly do damage. Acrylic yarn in particular can lose body and become shiny of you go too strong on the heat. Other fibers do worst things. Start on low heat and crank it up to achieve the desired effect.
Be careful with the thinner rows of stitches at the hems that are meant to be turned and sewed. You do not want to press that row of purl stitches flat, as the whole point is to fold there.
Once the pieces are blocked, turn and sew all the hems. Pinning is probably a good idea there. Start by pinning the sides, then put one pin in the middle, then in the middle of the middle. Use split yarn (2 ply or single ply if the thread is strong enough) and a slip stitch, using the knit stitches as a guide for straight work. Stretch the fabric as you stitch along, and don't pull anything too tight. The goal is nearly invisible stitching that lies flat.
Once all the hems are done, finish the sides of the two front panels (opposite the seam side). Use split yarn and larger needles (I didn't but I wish I had, I get some puckering that will need to be pressed out). If you applied technique number 2 from that post, then you will have a neat row of stitches to pick up and will be working 1 stitch for 2 rows. Use the same method again of one row of purl stitch in the middle, this will be folded and sewed like we did all the hem. You need to bind off very loosely (switch to much larger needles).
This leaves the neckline. The neckline can only be finished once the shoulder seams have been joined. But we still have to cut out our lining so we do not want to assemble any of the knitted pieces yet. In addition, I have not made a final determination on how I want to finish the neckline. I want to try the assembled garment on first.
The first step is blocking. The simplest technique is to simply steam iron. Watch the heat. You need enough to undo at least most of the curling, but if you go too hot, you can alter the look and feel of the knitted fabric, and possibly do damage. Acrylic yarn in particular can lose body and become shiny of you go too strong on the heat. Other fibers do worst things. Start on low heat and crank it up to achieve the desired effect.
Be careful with the thinner rows of stitches at the hems that are meant to be turned and sewed. You do not want to press that row of purl stitches flat, as the whole point is to fold there.
Once the pieces are blocked, turn and sew all the hems. Pinning is probably a good idea there. Start by pinning the sides, then put one pin in the middle, then in the middle of the middle. Use split yarn (2 ply or single ply if the thread is strong enough) and a slip stitch, using the knit stitches as a guide for straight work. Stretch the fabric as you stitch along, and don't pull anything too tight. The goal is nearly invisible stitching that lies flat.
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| Finished sleeve hem |
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| Finished edge for right front panel. |
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